‘PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE FROM THEIR NIGHT OUT'
SpeHbound
David Holmes
As the Voodoo Rooms launches in Edinburgh, Henry Northmore talks to director Ewan McNaught and one of the venue’s very first guests, David Holmes
enegade. the organisation that gaxc tis Pure and Vegas? noxx hax'e their x'er} oxxn \cntic to play with. The Voodoo Rooms is silttalctl it) the space above lidinbtirgh‘s (‘ale Ro_xa|. restored to
its former glory and populated b_\ a mixed roster ol'
nights that take l'ull advantage of this unique club space. "l‘here‘s the rooms and three bars and it‘s a beatitil'ul building bill it needed someone to take it under its \xingf explains director lixx'an .\lc.\'aug|it. ‘We're yer} excited as it shotild he a great place to come along to enjo) lixe music or cocktails in the context ol’ a \enue that has been tastcl‘ull} refurbished. We‘re going for an oxerall aesthetic. integrating music. l'ood and entertainment. I think the days of getting b_\' as a wry basic \enuc are numbered: people are looking for more l‘rom their night out.‘
Hosting lix'e gigs from the likes ot‘ .»\hert‘cld_\ l l‘) ck 20 December) and Bee & l‘loxx er i ll) December) and new cltib nights l‘rom the folk behind Departure Lounge. The (io-(io. and ol‘ course Vegasf. '\\'e‘ll be taking some of the aspects of Vegas? that made it so successful and moxing in a nexx direction in a dit‘t'erent environment] says .\lc.\'aught. l-‘orthcoming guests inxited to come along for the ride include Ja/lanox'a (3‘) December). lired Deacon (8 December). D.l Quantic (5 December) and Daxid Holmes (24 November).
Holmes produced two ama/ing electronica albums. the Virtual tilm score This l-i'liii'x~ ('rii/i lu'x .S‘liix/i lllt' Sears and Let's (;(’I Killed. which built tracks around samples of dialogue captured on \exx York‘s streets. He later mox ed into mainstream consciousness.
soundtracking moxics such as Rt'HH/t't’lltlll Hurt and [iii/lulu .S'ii/ili'i'i's. But it \\as his collaborations with Stexen Sodcrbcrgh on (hit or Sig/it and the three ()("t’tlll lilms that reall_\ thrust llolmes into the limelight.
l)cspite these big lloll_\\\ootl gigs Holmes is still based in his natixe Bellast and is currentl} making on his l'ii'st artist album in xears. ‘Doing )ttlll‘ oun
sttil‘l‘ is \er) liberating alter \xorking iii the timid ol
lilm.‘ llolmes explains. '\\’hat _\ou sa} goes. there's no rules. no ball park except \xhat's going on in xour oxxn lit'e. .-\ lot's happened in the last ten )L‘ill'\. lixe lost both m_\ parents and some l'riends. 'l‘his record is reall} the most personal thing l'xe ex er done: it's not litink} in the slightest. it's quite an cmotixe record.‘
l'amed lior his eclectic tastes llolmes helped pioneer
trul_\ l‘oi'xxard thinking DJ sets. 'Bel'ore l \xas a DJ l \x as rcall_\ obsessed \xith music. I got into l).ling because ol that obsession. and it's been \xith inusic generall} and not a certain genre.‘
llaxing \xorkctl mm the Renegade ci'exx lrom back in their earl) l’ure da_\ s. Holmes is looking lorxxard to seeing \\ hat the_\'ll do \xith the lreedom ol their oun \enue. 'I imagine that it" the_\’re going to do it. it “ill be done propcrl_\.' he saxs. ‘.\'e\x \enties opening are al\\a_\s reall_\ exciting because exerxone \xants to g and nobod} \sants to miss it.‘ .-\skcd \xhat he'll be spinning on the night. he laughs: 'l'll he pla}ihg music that \\ill make people dance. but I don't knoxx \\ hat that isitist xet.‘
The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, opens Fri 16 Nov; David Holmes guests Sat 24 Nov.
IIit' "
THE BEST DANCEFLOOR ACTION
:2: Back to the 903 Snatcli's; Harry Ainswodh hosts this irreverent night of the best iand worst) of the {ills all in aid of Children lll Need. l'go. Edinburgh. Fri 76 Nov.
31: Bonde Do Role Afterparty Mike Skinner's accomplice Example guests With his sarcastic rapping style. Arches. G/asgow, PH 76 Nov.
:1: The GRV Launch This new intimate cli ib venue launches With a guest set from rock'n'ravers Lo-Fidelity Allstars. l he GFi’V. Edinburgh. Fri 70‘ Nov. :2: Voodoo Rooms Launch Two new club Spaces launch in one weekend. plus there's a guest set from DaVid Holmes (24 NOV). The Voodoo Rooms. Edinburgh, Fri 76. Sat 77 8 Sat 24 Nov.
21: Death Disco’s Fifth Birthday Everyone's birthday comes at once. as Glasgow's second most eccentric club introduces an Armada of SpeCial guests. Arches Glasgow. Sat 77 Nov.
:2: Firewater’s Sixth Birthday Yet another birthday. With live bands and Mogwai guesting behind the decks. can you keep tip With all the celebrations? Firewater, Glasgow. Fri 23 Nov.
:2: JakN Drum <3 bass punks Dead Silence Syndicate (pictured) play Out as a full live band to complement the usual techno excellence. Studio 24. Edinburgh. Fri 23 Nov.
:2: Optimo’s Tenth Birthday Cause for r€jOlClng indeed. as Scotland's best club celebrates a landmark anniversary. T‘NllCh and Wilkes present a star- Studded affair on Friday. then it's back to where it all began at the Subbie on Sunday. School of Art. Glasgow, Fri 23 Nov; Sub Club. Glasgow. Sun 25 Nov.
THE LIST 29